Areas of Study

The social work profession is
dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals, groups, and communities.
It addresses a variety of human needs in the context of complex personal and social
situations, and promotes the positive use of resources. Social work settings include
rural, suburban, and urban communities in public or private social service agencies,
such as county social service agencies, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, residential
youth programs, domestic abuse and sexual assault programs, adult day care, hospice, chemical
dependency agencies, mental health organizations, family counseling programs, correctional programs,
adoption and foster care agencies, and community outreach and social justice programs.

The Social Work program emphasizes culturally responsive generalist social work practice and promotes
an understanding of human interactions within the social environment. Content
areas include social work values and ethics, diversity, promotion of social
and economic justice, populations-at-risk, human behavior in the social environment,
social welfare policy and services, social work practice, research, field placements,
and an international perspective. Graduates of the program are prepared for
entry-level social work practice and for graduate study.

The Social Work program offers a number of special activities and opportunities, including the following:

B.S.W. Child Welfare Project -- stipends

Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor certification

Chemical Dependency Minor

Mexico Consortium -- Social Work in a Latin American Context

Social Work Program Field Expeditions

As a result of the Social Work program’s accreditation by the Council
of Social Work Education, graduates of the program are often eligible for advanced
standing status in graduate social work programs AND are eligible to apply for
social work licensure in Minnesota and other states. Successful application
for social work licensure in Minnesota enables graduates to apply for school
social work licensure in the state as well.

Chemical Dependency: The Social Work program offers both a minor and the Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor certification. The 18-credit minor provides students with the opportunity to expand their knowledge in chemical dependency, but does not prepare students for educational eligibility for Alcohol and Drug Counselor licensure (LADC) application. The certificate in Chemical Dependency requires a four-year degree, 270 hour classroom training, and an 880 hour internship required for LADC application.

Licensure:

Social Work (Minnesota Board of Social Work): An applicant must be a graduate
of a Council of Social Work accredited program and pass the written licensure
examination.

School Social Work (Minnesota Board of Teaching): An applicant must have a
bachelor’s degree in social work from a Council on Social Work Education
accredited program, be licensed or eligible for licensure by the Minnesota Board
of Social Work, and submit an application to the Board of Teaching for licensure
in school social work. School social workers are required to be licensed by
both the Minnesota Board of Social Work and the Board of Teaching.

Alcohol and Drug Counselor (Minnesota Health Department, Health Occupations
Program): An applicant for Alcohol and Drug Counselor licensure (LADC) in Minnesota
must have completed a four-year degree, 270 hours of classroom training, and an
880 hour internship in the field as well as pass written and oral licensure
tests. (See Chemical Dependency Minor and Certificate sections for contact information.)